A Visit to Philadelphia

Last week we booked a trip to Philadelphia.  It required some adjustments because the the boys had a swim meet and BB had a birthday party he really wanted to attend.  In the end we managed two days away.  

At this point, BB and DD are up to explore any place we take them.  Our first stop after lunch was to the Franklin Institute.  If you have kids this is a great place to go.  Besides wonderful STEM-focused exhibits, we did the Mirror Maze (super fun) and a 3D movie about the Galapagos Islands.

There are so many restaurants to try in Philly but the boys spotted up the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse around the corner and really wanted to eat there.  So steaks (and lobster) it was.  Afterwards, we took a stroll and got ice cream before hitting the rooftop pool at our hotel.

The next morning we made our way to Reading Terminal Market and ordered way too much food for breakfast.  I love this market as it’s truly a food hall where you can buy meat and produce, prepared foods, and eat at the restaurants.  It’s clean, has plenty of seating, and well laid out.  The three of us had a more or less traditional breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes, while BB had ribs!  After breakfast, we made our way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art which is not to be missed.  In addition to the Japanese tea house, Ellsworth Kelly room, and the arms and armor collection that delighted all of us, there was a special exhibition of Michael Nichols called Wild.  What captivated us, especially the boys, was his photographs of the ancient Sequoia trees.  The museum had two of the photographs displayed as large two-story banners and provided binoculars for visitors to look at the details.  We were in love.

Of course, no one in the history of the modern world has ever left the Philadelphia Museum of Art without running up the “Rocky” stairs and celebrating at the top.  So that is what we did.